Fiber management frame for securely retaining optical fiber connection trays

ABSTRACT

A fiber management frame and an interconnection closure including the fiber management frame are provided for securely retaining optical fiber connection trays once the closure is placed into service, while also permitting access to any of the trays to reconfigure the connections of the optical fibers without disturbing the remaining trays. The fiber management frame includes a support for holding at least one such tray selected from the group consisting of a splice tray, a coupler tray, and a connector panel. The fiber management frame may also include a bias member, such as one or more tension members, for urging each tray toward the support. As such, the bias member releasably secures each tray to the support. The fiber management frame may also include at least one adjustable member, such as an upstanding bracket, that cooperates with the support to define a space for housing at least one tray.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to interconnectionclosures and, more particularly, to interconnection closures having afiber management frame for securely retaining different numbers andvarious sizes of optical fiber connection trays within the closure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Fiber optic networks typically include interconnection closuresat various splice locations throughout the fiber optic network.Typically, these interconnection closures include splice closures, patchclosures, and the like. For example, splice closures commonly house thesplices required to interconnect the optical fibers of one or more fiberoptic feeder cables to respective ones of the optical fibers of one ormore fiber optic drop cables. By housing the splices, a splice closureprotects the spliced end portions of the optical fibers fromenvironmental degradation, strain and other deleterious forces, therebyincreasing the reliability and quality of the splices.

[0003] While fiber optic networks have traditionally served as thebackbone or trunkline of communication networks to transmit signals overrelatively long distances, fiber optic networks are gradually beingextended closer to the end points of the communications networks. Inthis regard, fiber optic networks have been developed that deliverfiber-to-the-curb, fiber-to-the-home, fiber-to-the-business,fiber-to-the-desk, and the like. In each of these different types ofapplications, a splice closure must be capable of splicing differenttypes of cables to establish the proper interconnections. In thisregard, the splice closure utilized in a fiber-to-the-home,fiber-to-the-business, or fiber-to-the-desk application is mounted upona fiber optic feeder cable and one or more fiber optic drop cables topermit at least some of the optical fibers of the feeder cable to extenduninterrupted through the splice closure while splicing or otherwiseconnecting other optical fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable withoptical fibers of a drop cable. In contrast, a splice closure that isutilized in a fiber-to-the-curb application is mounted upon not just afiber optic feeder cable and one or more drop cables, but also anelectrical feeder cable. In this application, the splice closure mustfacilitate the splicing of one or more electrical conductors of theelectrical feeder cable to corresponding electrical conductors of thedrop cable, while permitting the remainder of the electrical conductorsto extend uninterrupted through the closure. Additionally, the spliceclosure must facilitate the splicing of one or more of the opticalfibers of the fiber optic feeder cable with respective optical fibers ofthe drop cable while continuing to permit at least some of the opticalfibers of the fiber optic feeder cable to extend uninterrupted throughthe splice closure.

[0004] In either type of splice closure, the splice closure must providea mechanism for connecting optical fibers, such as splicing one or moreoptical fibers of a fiber optic feeder cable with respective opticalfibers of a drop cable. Typically, the splice closure includes one ormore splice trays, coupler trays, and/or connector panels thatfacilitate the splicing or other connection of respective pairs of theoptical fibers. For ease of reference, splice trays, coupler trays, andconnector panels will be hereinafter referred to as “optical fiberconnection trays” or simply “trays.” Each such tray is designed to housea plurality of connections between respective pairs of optical fibers.Since many splice closures include a large number of connections betweenrespective pairs of optical fibers, splice closures oftentimes include aplurality of trays, typically stacked one upon another.

[0005] The trays are preferably secured within the splice closure suchthat the trays are fixed in position once the splice closure has beenconfigured and is placed into service. As such, the trays should notshift or otherwise move once the splice closure has been placed intoservice since any shifting or other movement of the trays could harm theconnections between respective pairs of optical fibers. Some spliceclosures include a strap, such as a hook and loop strap, that wrapsabout the trays to secure the trays in position. Alternatively, thetrays may define an aperture and the splice closure may include a postupon which the trays are mounted such that the post extends through thecorresponding apertures defined by the trays, thereby securing the traysin position.

[0006] While the trays are desirably fixed in position once the spliceclosure has been configured and placed in service, the splice closure isalso preferably designed such that the trays can be readily accessed bytechnicians both during the initial configuration of the splice closurein which connections are established between respective pairs of theoptical fibers and during any subsequent reconfiguration of the spliceclosure in which at least some of the connections between respectivepairs of the optical fibers are changed. For splice closures thatinclude a strap for retaining the trays, the strap must be released toaccess the trays, such as during reconfiguration of the splice closure.Upon removing the strap, however, the trays tend to slide relative toone another and to fan out so as to no longer be stacked one uponanother. For example, the optical fibers that enter and exit the traysare typically disposed in transport tubes and buffer tubes. These tubesare stiffer than the optical fibers and may impose various forces uponthe trays due to the manner in which the tubes have been bent duringrouting. Once the strap has been released, the forces imparted by thetubes will therefore generally cause the trays to slide relative to oneanother. Once a technician has appropriately reconfigured the spliceclosure, such as by reconfiguring the connections housed by one or moretrays, the technician must restack the trays and refasten the strap,thereby creating additional work for the technician. Moreover, themovement of most, if not all, of the trays can also cause inadvertentdamage to the connections between respective pairs of the opticalfibers.

[0007] As will also be apparent, splice closures that include aplurality of trays mounted upon an upstanding post require the uppermosttrays be removed to access the lower trays. Not only does the removal ofthe uppermost trays create additional work for the technicianresponsible for reconfiguring the splice closure, but the removal of theuppermost trays increases the risk that the connections housed by theuppermost trays will be damaged during the reconfiguration process. Assuch, it would be desirable for a splice closure to permit access to anyone of the trays without having to move or otherwise handle any of theremaining trays.

[0008] The trays have a variety of sizes in terms of length, width andthickness. Thus, the compartment of the splice closure designed toreceive the trays must be sufficiently large to receive trays having anyof the various sizes that may be utilized. Since the compartment is thusgenerally oversized relative to the trays, splice closures that includestraps or the like for retaining the splice trays might still permitsome unintended movement of the trays. In this regard, the strapsgenerally extend in a widthwise direction around the trays. As such, thetrays can still move in a lengthwise direction since the compartment inwhich the trays are disposed may be longer than the trays. Thisunintended lengthwise movement of the trays can also harm theconnections between respective pairs of the optical fibers.

[0009] Accordingly, while splice closures having one or more trays havebeen developed, it would be desirable to develop a splice closure thatfurther protects the connections housed by the trays once the spliceclosure has been configured and placed in service. As such, it would bedesirable to develop a splice closure that more securely retains thetrays in a fixed position once the trays have been configured and thesplice closure has been placed in service. Additionally, it would bedesirable to develop a splice closure that permits the technician tomore readily access any one of the trays without having to move orotherwise reposition the remaining trays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A fiber management frame and an interconnection closure includingthe fiber management frame are provided for securely retaining opticalfiber connection trays once the splice closure has been placed inservice, while also permitting ready access to any one of the trays toreconfigure the connections housed by the respective tray without movingor otherwise repositioning the remaining trays. Accordingly, the fibermanagement frame and the associated interconnection closure of thepresent invention protect the connections housed by the trays frominadvertent damage otherwise possibly occasioned by unintended movementof the trays.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a fibermanagement frame is provided that includes a support for holding atleast one optical fiber connection tray selected from the groupconsisting of a splice tray, a coupler tray, and a connector panel, anda bias member for urging each such tray toward the support. As such, thebias member releasably secures each tray within the fiber managementframe. The bias member preferably includes at least one tension memberextending toward the support, thereby typically defining an acute anglewith respect to the support. The tension member is capable of exerting aforce having a component directed toward the support to secure each traywithin the fiber management frame. Typically, each tension memberextends from a first end that is remote from the support to a second endthat is proximate the support. In order to facilitate lifting of atension member in order to insert a tray, the second end of the tensionmember preferably includes an upturned lip that can be readily engagedby a technician. In a further embodiment, the bias member is formed by apair of tension members that are spaced apart from one another. Tofacilitate movement of the pair of tension members in tandem, thetension members may be interconnected by a handle.

[0012] The support is preferably capable of holding any number of traysfrom a single tray up to a predetermined maximum number of trays.Regardless of the number of trays, the tension member is sized such thatthe tension member contacts the tray furthest removed from the supportwithout protruding beyond the support. Thus, the tension member does notobstruct placement of the fiber management frame in the housing of theclosure.

[0013] Regardless of the number of trays stacked upon the support, thebias member imparts a force upon each of the trays that urges the traystoward the support, thereby securing the trays in position between thebias member and the support. Since the bias member generally contactsthe tray that is furthest removed from the support and does nototherwise extend about the trays, any tray, including a tray in themiddle of the stack or a tray on the bottom of the stack, can be removedwithout having to move or otherwise reposition the upper trays. Thus,the connections housed by any of the trays can be reconfigured withouthaving to remove the overlying trays. Moreover, the bias member cancontinue to impart a force to the trays that urges the trays toward thesupport even as one or more trays are being removed, thereby effectivelypreventing the type of undesirable movement of the trays relative to thefiber management frame or relative to one another that typically resultsupon the release of a strap of a conventional closure. Thus, the fibermanagement frame of this aspect of the present invention furtherprotects the connections between respective pairs of the optical fibersby limiting undesired movement of the trays while facilitatingreconfiguration of the connections housed by any one of the trays.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a fibermanagement frame is provided that includes a support and at least oneadjustable member cooperating with the support to define a space forhousing at least one tray selected from a group consisting of a splicetray, a coupler tray, and a connector panel. According to this aspect ofthe present invention, the at least one adjustable member is capable ofbeing repositioned relative to the support so as to correspondinglyresize the space. The space can therefore be resized to snugly receivetrays having various sizes, thereby further preventing undesirablemovement of the trays.

[0015] Preferably, the support defines a track and the at least oneadjustable member is formed by at least one upstanding bracket thatengages the track and slidably moves therealong so as to be repositionedrelative to the support. For example, the support may define a slot thatserves as the track. As such, the upstanding bracket extends through theslot and engages the support so as to be slidably moveable along thelength of the slot. In one advantageous embodiment, the fiber managementframe includes a pair of brackets adapted to be slidably moved relativeto one another such that the space between the brackets in which trayswill be disposed can be customized to match the size or desired positionof the trays on the support. In this embodiment, the support typicallydefines a pair of lengthwise extending tracks. The tracks are paralleland are spaced apart in a lengthwise direction. As such, each bracketslidably moves along a respective track, for example, to move toward andaway from one another.

[0016] The fiber management frame may also include a locking member forsecuring the pair of brackets in position once the desired position orspace between the brackets has been sized to snugly receive the trays.In this regard, each bracket may include an arm that overlaps with thearm of the other bracket. The locking member may also include a fastenerthat engages the respective arms of the pair of brackets to secure thebrackets in position.

[0017] By including at least one and, more typically, a pair ofadjustable members, such as a pair of upstanding brackets, the fibermanagement frame may be configured to snugly receive various sizes oftrays. Thus, the fiber management frame of this aspect of the presentinvention can further reduce the movement of the trays once the spliceclosure has been configured and placed into service. The fibermanagement frame of this aspect of the present invention can thereforefurther protect the connections housed by the tray from inadvertentdamage attributable to unintended movement of the trays relative to oneanother and relative to other portions of the fiber management frame.

[0018] In addition to the various aspects of the fiber management framedescribed above, interconnection closures are also provided includingrespective fiber management frames. For example, an interconnectionclosure may include a fiber management frame having a bias member forreleasably securing at least one tray in position and/or at least oneadjustable member for defining the space in which trays will be housed.In addition to the fiber management frame, the interconnection closureincludes a housing defining an internal cavity in which the fibermanagement frame is disposed. The housing of the interconnection closurealso defines a plurality of ports opening into the internal cavity forreceiving a plurality of cables. As described above in conjunction withthe fiber management frame, the interconnection closure protects theconnections housed by the trays from inadvertent damage whilefacilitating access by a technician, such as during reconfiguration ofthe closure, by preventing the undesirable movement of the trays oncethe closure has been appropriately configured and placed into service.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Having thus described the invention in general terms, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and wherein:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interconnection closureincluding a fiber management frame according to one embodiment of thepresent invention in which a portion of the housing of theinterconnection closure has been removed to show the interior cavitydefined by the interconnection closure and the fiber management framedisposed therein, and in which the adjustable brackets have been removedfor purposes of clarity;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fiber management frame accordingto one embodiment of the present invention which includes a coupler trayand a relatively short splice tray in separate compartments thereof;

[0022]FIG. 3 is another perspective view of a fiber management frameaccording to one embodiment of the present invention which includes arelatively long splice tray and which depicts the underneath side of thefiber management frame including the overlapping arms of the adjustablebrackets;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fiber management frame of FIG.2 depicting the routing of the express optical fibers and the opticalfibers of the drop cables in a fiber-to-the-home, fiber-to-the-business,or fiber-to-the-desk application; and

[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fiber management frame of FIG.2 depicting the routing of the express electrical conductors, theexpress optical fibers and the optical fibers and electrical conductorsof the drop cables in a fiber-to-the-curb application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichpreferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the preferredembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, an optical fiber interconnection closure10 according to one advantageous embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The closure may be a splice closure, a patch closure or thelike. Moreover, the closure may be installed in an aerial location,buried, disposed in an enclosure or otherwise sealed. For purposes ofexample and not of limitation, however, the interconnection closure willbe hereinafter described as an aerial splice closure. Although theclosure of the illustrated embodiment is an in-line closure, the closureof the present invention may have other configurations, such as acanister or “butt” type closure, without departing from the spirit andthe scope of the present invention.

[0027] As illustrated, the closure 10 includes a housing 12 defining aninternal cavity 14. While the housing may have a variety of shapes, thehousing of the illustrated embodiment is generally tubular with asubstantially rectangular shape in lateral cross-section. The housingextends lengthwise between a pair of opposed, open ends. The closurealso generally includes a pair of end caps 16 disposed within respectiveones of the open ends of the housing and secured to the housing, such asby means of an annular collar or other fasteners known to those skilledin the art. While the housing and the end cap may be formed of a varietyof materials, the housing and the end caps of one advantageousembodiment are molded of a rigid plastic material.

[0028] As known to those skilled in the art and as shown in FIG. 1, theend caps 16 of a splice closure 10 generally define a plurality of portsfor receiving respective cables. The ports defined by the end caps mayreceive a fiber optic feeder cable that extends through the spliceclosure and the end portions of one or more fiber optic drop cables.While the end caps may define a number of different types of ports, theend caps of the illustrated embodiment include conical-shaped ports 18for receiving and securely engaging a fiber optic feeder cable, anelectrical feeder cable, and the like, and a seam 20 defined by aplurality of opposed, flexible fingers through which one or more dropcables extend. As such, in a fiber-to-the-home, fiber-to-the-business,or fiber-to-the-desk application, one or more of the optical fibers of afiber optic feeder cable can be spliced to respective optical fibers ofthe fiber optic drop cables within the closure, while the remainingoptical fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable can extend uninterruptedthrough the closure. Additionally, in a fiber-to-the-curb application,the end caps define ports for receiving an electrical feeder cable.Thus, one or more of the electrical conductors of the electrical feedercable can also be spliced to corresponding electrical conductors of thedrop cables, while the remaining electrical conductors of the electricalfeeder cable extend uninterrupted through the closure. Accordingly, thedrop cables in a fiber-to-the-curb application are typically compositecables that include both electrical conductors and optical fibers, asdescribed further below. As will be apparent to those skilled in theart, however, the closure and, more particularly, the end caps may beconfigured to receive and interconnect other combinations of fiber opticand/or electrical cables, if so desired.

[0029] In addition to receiving a variety of different types of cables,the closure 10 may organize and interconnect different types of opticalfibers, such as loose buffered optical fibers and ribbon fiber. As such,the term “optical fiber” as used herein is intended to include all typesof optical fibers, including loose buffered optical fibers, opticalfibers in the form of a multifiber ribbon, individual optical fibers, orany other subunit of a fiber optic cable. Additionally, the opticalfiber may have various diameters including diameters of 900 micron, 2 mmand 3 mm.

[0030] The closure 10 of the present invention also includes a fibermanagement frame 22 disposed within the internal cavity 14, as depictedin FIG. 1. The fiber management frame of the illustrated embodimentincludes a back panel 24 that is attached to the housing 12, such as bymeans of a plurality of bolts or other types of fasteners, that extendthrough corresponding apertures 26 defined by the back panel of thefiber management frame and engage the housing. As depicted, the fibermanagement frame may be mounted within a medial portion of the housing.However, the fiber management frame may, instead, be mounted closer toeither end of the housing, if so desired. Additionally, while the fibermanagement frame is depicted to extend lengthwise for about one-half ofthe length of the housing, the fiber management frame may be eitherlarger or smaller depending upon the size of the housing and therequirements of the particular application. Typically, the fibermanagement frame is formed of a metal, such as aluminum, although thefiber management frame may be made of other rigid materials, includingplastic, if so desired.

[0031] The fiber management frame 22 includes a support 58 for holdingone or more optical fiber connection trays, such as splice trays,coupler trays, and/or connector panels (hereinafter generically andcollectively referred to as “optical fiber connection trays” or simply“trays”). Although not necessary for the practice of the presentinvention, the fiber management frame of the illustrated embodimentincludes a number partitions, one of which serves as the support. Assuch, the fiber management frame of the present invention will bedescribed in conjunction with the embodiment having a number ofpartitions, even though the fiber management frame may have a number ofother configurations, if so desired. In the illustrated embodiment,however, the partitions define a plurality of compartments, such as fourcompartments, each of which extends in a lengthwise direction so as tobe in-line relative to the optical fibers and, in some instances, theelectrical conductors that extend through the closure 10.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the fiber management frame 22includes first, second, third and fourth compartments that extendside-by-side in a parallel fashion. The first compartment 28 includes apartition 30 that extends both outwardly from the back panel 24 andlengthwise through the closure 10. The partition 30 separates the firstcompartment 28 from the second compartment 32. However, the partitiondefines an opening or a cutout 34 to facilitate access to the secondcompartment as described below. The first compartment extends lengthwisefrom a first open end to a second open end. Thus, optical fibers orelectrical conductors may extend lengthwise through the firstcompartment as separately described below in conjunction withfiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-curb applications.

[0033] To retain the optical fibers or the electrical conductors withinthe first compartment 28, the first compartment may also include atleast one and, more typically, a plurality of upturned flanges 36 spacedlengthwise along the outer edge of the partition 30 opposite the backpanel 24. Additionally, the first compartment may include a cover 37 forprotecting the optical fibers or electrical conductors extending throughthe first compartment. Preferably, the cover is removable. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 2, for example, the cover may be attached bymeans of a bolt or other type of fastener to the upturned flanges and,in particular to holes 39 defined by the upturned flanges. Thus, thecover can be removed while the closure 10 is being configured to provideaccess to the first compartment. Conversely, the cover may be installedfollowing the configuration of the closure to protect the optical fibersor electrical conductors.

[0034] Additionally, the partition 30 may define a plurality of holes 38for receiving tie wraps or other types of fasteners. As such, the tiewraps or other types of fasteners may be wrapped about the opticalfibers or the electrical conductors and may extend through at least apair of the holes defined by the partition in order to secure theoptical fibers or the electrical conductors to the partition. Asdepicted, the partition may define holes at various locations, includingat locations proximate the opposed open ends of the first compartment28.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first compartment 28 also includes anangled ramp 40 projecting outwardly from at least one end and, moretypically, both ends, of the partition 30. As depicted, the angled rampgenerally slopes slightly downwardly towards the second compartment 32so as to assist in guiding the optical fibers or the electricalconductors from a respective port and into the first compartment. Asalso shown, the angled ramp may define a plurality of the holes 38through which the wraps or other types of fasteners may extend in orderto secure the optical fibers or the electrical conductors, to thepartition.

[0036] The second compartment 32 of the illustrated embodiment alsoincludes a partition 42 extending both outwardly from the back panel 24and in a lengthwise direction. As depicted, the partition of the secondcompartment is spaced somewhat from the partition 30 of the firstcompartment 28 in order to define the second compartment therebetween.The second compartment also extends in a lengthwise direction from afirst end to a second end. Typically, each end is open for receivingoptical fibers. However, in fiber-to-the-home applications, opticalfibers typically only pass through the first end of the secondcompartment such that only the first end need be open. To permit thefiber management frame 22 to be used universally in bothfiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-curb applications, however, the fibermanagement frame is preferably designed such that both the first andsecond ends of the second compartment are open for receiving opticalfibers.

[0037] Like the first compartment 28, the second compartment 32 alsopreferably includes at least one and, more typically, a plurality ofupturned flanges 44 spaced lengthwise along the edge of the partition 42opposite the back panel 24 for retaining the optical fibers within thesecond compartment. Moreover, the partition of the second compartmentmay define a plurality of holes 46 for receiving tie wraps or othertypes of fasteners in order to secure the optical fibers to thepartition of the second compartment as described above in connectionwith the first compartment. As described in more detail below inconnection with the fiber-to-the-home application, the secondcompartment may also include an engagement member 48, such as anupstanding peg, for engaging at least one optical fiber connection tray,such as a coupler tray 50, that may be stored in the second compartment.

[0038] The third compartment 52 of the illustrated embodiment isproximate the second compartment 32 and also extends in a lengthwisedirection from a first open end to a second open end. Thus, the thirdcompartment may receive optical fibers, such as the optical fibers of adrop cable, through both the first and second ends. The thirdcompartment is designed to store slack lengths of optical fibers,including the optical fibers of the drop cables and the optical fibersof the fiber optic feeder cable. In the illustrated embodiment, thethird compartment includes a plurality of clips 54. The plurality ofclips are preferably connected to the partition 42 of the secondcompartment. Typically, the clips are arranged in one or more lengthwiseextending rows. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the clipsare disposed in two lengthwise extending rows. In addition, the clipsare preferably spaced apart in a lengthwise direction to adequatelysupport the optical fiber. The clips of the illustrated embodiment areopen rings that permit optical fibers to be inserted into and removedfrom the rings, although the clips may have other configurations if sodesired. While the third compartment of the illustrated embodimentincludes a plurality of clips for retaining optical fibers that extendtherethrough, the third compartment may, instead, be formed in othermanners, such as by means of another partition extending both outwardlyfrom the back panel 24 and in a lengthwise direction. In thisalternative embodiment, the partition of the third compartment is spacedfrom the partition of the second compartment so as to define a regionbetween the partitions of the second and third compartments throughwhich the optical fibers may extend.

[0039] The fourth compartment 56 of the fiber management frame 22 isproximate the third compartment 52 in the illustrated embodiment. Thefourth compartment also includes a partition 58 that extends bothoutwardly from the back panel 24 and in a lengthwise direction.Typically, the fourth compartment extends lengthwise between a firstopen end and a second open end. Since the optical fibers typically onlyenter and exit the fourth compartment from one end, however, the otherend of the compartment could be closed, if so desired. In bothfiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-curb applications, the fourthcompartment is advantageously designed to store at least one tray 60such that the optical fibers of a fiber optic feeder cable may beinterconnected with corresponding optical fibers of a drop cabletherewithin. As such, the partition 58 serves as the support for holdingthe optical fiber connection trays. By being capable of storingdifferent types of trays, such as a splice tray, a coupler tray, and/ora connector panel, the fiber management frame of the present inventionprovides a common platform to reduce the number of different closuresthat must be manufactured and installed.

[0040] The fiber management frame 22 of the present invention includesvarious means for engaging the trays 60 and for preventing undesiredmovement of the trays once the closure 10 has been appropriatelyconfigured. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the fiber management frame mayinclude a bias member for urging the trays toward the support 58. Assuch, the bias member may releasably secure the trays upon the supportwithin the fiber management frame. While various types of bias membersmay be utilized to urge the trays toward the support, the bias member ofone advantageous embodiment includes at least one and, more typically, apair of tension members 66. Each tension member extends toward thesupport, typically at an acute angle with respect to the support. Forexample, the tension members of one embodiment extend toward the supportand define an acute angle of about sixty degrees (60°) with respect tothe support in the absence of trays. However, the tension members maydefine other acute angles with respect to the support depending upon thedesign of the fiber management frame. Since the tension members must bedeflected or lifted in order to insert a tray, each tension member isable to exert a force upon the trays that has at least a componentdirected toward the support, thereby releasably securing the trays tothe support.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, each tension member 66 extendsdownwardly from the partition 42 of the second compartment 32 toward thesupport 58. In this regard, each tension member typically extends from afirst end remote from the support and connected to the partition of thesecond compartment in the illustrated embodiment to a second endproximate the support. However, the tension members may extend from theback panel 24 or other portions of the fiber management frame 22, if sodesired. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the tension membersurge the trays 60 downwardly against a support. Alternatively, thetension members may urge the trays upwardly against a support, orrearwardly against a support, such as the back panel 24, if so desired.The tension members are preferably positioned so as to exert forces thatare substantially centered with respect to the trays. In the embodimentthat includes a single tension member, the tension member is thereforepreferably centered with respect to the trays. In addition, in theembodiment which includes two or more tension members, the tensionmembers are preferably evenly spaced in a lengthwise direction and areagain centered with respect to the trays as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0042] In the absence of trays 60, the nominal position of the tensionmembers 66 is to extend downwardly so as to contact or at least bedisposed closely to the support 58. In order to stack one or more traysupon the support, the tension members must therefore be lifted upwardlyand the trays set upon the support. The tension members are thenreleased so as to contact the upper surface of the uppermost tray, i.e.,that surface of the uppermost tray that is furthest removed from thesupport. For embodiments that include two or more tension members, thefiber management frame 22 may also include a handle 59 that extendsbetween and interconnects the tension members to facilitate lifting ofthe tension members to insert a tray. So that the tension members may belifted evenly across the width of each tension member without rotationor other flexure of the tension members, the handle is preferablyconnected either to the midpoint of each tension member in a widthwisedirection or to opposite sides of each tension member as indicated bythe rivet connections 61 in FIG. 2. In the embodiment of the fibermanagement frame that includes only a single tension member, the fibermanagement frame typically does not include a handle. Instead, thetension member itself is designed to facilitate lifting of the tensionmember. In this regard, the second end of the tension member may includean upturned lip 63 that may be easily engaged by a technician to liftthe tension member to facilitate the insertion of a tray.

[0043] The fiber management frame 22 is generally designed to receiveany number of trays from a single tray to a predetermined maximum numberof trays 60. Regardless of the number of trays, the tension members 66are designed to contact the upper surface of the uppermost tray in orderto secure the trays upon the support 58. Moreover, the tension membersare sized such that the tension members never protrude beyond thesupport 58 and therefore do not obstruct or otherwise contact thehousing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the tensionmembers are sized such that even in instances in which the tensionmembers are most greatly deflected and extend most directly outward fromthe back panel 24, the second end of the tension members still do notprotrude beyond the support.

[0044] Moreover, the bias force that the tension members 66 are capableof exerting is partially dependent upon the angle of the tension memberrelative to the support 58. In this regard, the tension member willgenerally apply less force to a single tray 60 than to a plurality ofstacked trays since the tension members will increasingly be furtherdisplaced from their nominal position as additional trays are placedupon the support. Thus, the tension members are preferably designed suchthat the tension members provide sufficient force to retain the splicetrays within the fiber management frame when only a single tray ismounted by the support, while also ensuring that the bias force exertedby the tension members is not excessively large when multiple trays arestacked upon the support such that the tension members can still belifted to permit the insertion of an additional tray. The tensionmembers of one embodiment are formed of spring steel. In order to alteror tailor the bias force applied by the tension members, however, thetension members may be formed of different materials that are capable ofapplying the bias force, if so desired. In addition or alternatively,the tension members may be shaped differently to alter the resultingbias force. For example, while the medial portion of each tension memberthat extends from the first end to the second end may be planar, themedial portion may include a deformed portion or a joggle for increasingthe stiffness of the tension member and correspondingly increasing thebias force.

[0045] Thus, the bias member of the fiber management frame 22 of thisaspect of the present invention secures one or more trays 60 to thesupport 58 and therefore prevents the trays from moving once the closure10 has been installed and placed into service. As such, the fibermanagement frame of this aspect of the present invention prevents damageto the connections housed by the trays that may otherwise be caused byunintended movement of the trays. However, the bias member can bereadily lifted to load one or more trays during the initialconfiguration of the closure. In addition, the bias member permits oneor more of the trays, including a tray in the middle or at the bottom ofthe stack, to be removed without moving or otherwise repositioning theremaining trays. Moreover, the bias member permits a tray to be removedby sliding the tray out of the stack without lifting the bias member. Assuch, the bias member can continue to exert a force upon the stack oftrays so as to prevent unintended movement of the trays as may occurwhen a strap is removed from a stack of trays in a conventional closure.Accordingly, damage to the connections between respective pairs ofoptical fibers is further prevented by limiting unnecessary movement ofthe trays.

[0046] Regardless of whether the fiber management frame 22 includes abias member, the fiber management frame may include one or moreadjustable members that cooperate with the support 58 to define a spacefor housing one or more trays 60. In this embodiment, each adjustablemember is capable of being repositioned relative to the support tocorrespondingly resize the space to receive various sizes of trays. Forexample, the adjustable members may be moved away from one another toenlarge the space so as to receive larger trays or moved towards oneanother to reduce the space so as to receive smaller trays. Furthermore,one of the adjustable members may be moved, or both of the adjustablemembers may be moved in the same direction to reposition the tray on thesupport. As such, the adjustable members may define the position of thetrays on the support and the space between the adjustable members suchthat the trays will be received snugly therein, thereby further reducingthe unintended movement of the trays following configuration of theclosure 10 and preventing damage to the connections of respective pairsof optical fibers that may otherwise have occurred as a result ofunintended movement of the trays.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the support 58 defines a track.While the support may define various types of tracks, the support of oneembodiment defines a lengthwise extending slot 68. As shown in FIGS. 2and 3, the at least one adjustable member preferably includes at leastone upstanding bracket 64 that engages and rides upon the track definedby the support. As such, the at least one upstanding bracket may beslidably moved along the track so as to be repositioned relative to thesupport. In the illustrated embodiment in which the track is alengthwise extending slot defined by the support, the upstanding bracketextends through the slot and is adapted to be moved lengthwisetherealong.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the fiber management frame 22 includesa pair of upstanding brackets 64 spaced apart from one another in alengthwise direction in order to define the space for receiving trays 60of different lengths therebetween. In this embodiment, the support 58defines a pair of lengthwise extending slots 68 that are also spacedapart from one another in a lengthwise direction. However, the slotstypically extend parallel and, more typically, collinear with oneanother. Thus, each upstanding bracket preferably rides within arespective slot so as to be moved toward and away from one another inorder to reduce and enlarge the size of the space therebetween,respectively. While the fiber management frame typically includesbrackets as described above and as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, thebrackets may be positioned differently within the fiber managementframe, if so desired. For example, a bracket may be mounted to thesupport so as to move toward and away from the back panel 24 in order todefine a space for snugly receiving trays having different widths.

[0049] While the brackets 64 may have a variety of different shapeswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention,the brackets of the illustrated embodiment generally have an L-shape. Inthis regard, the base portion of each L-shaped bracket extends acrossand rides upon the surface of the support 58, while the upstandingportion of each bracket extends upwardly from the base portion forengaging end portions of trays 60 stacked within the space between thepair of brackets. To prevent unintended movement of the trays in thelengthwise direction, the brackets are preferably spaced apart from oneanother by a distance substantially equal to the length of the traysthat will be carried by the support. As such, the brackets define aspace that will snugly receive the trays and prevent unintendedlengthwise movement of the trays, thereby further preventing damage tothe connections of respective pairs of optical fibers housed by thetrays.

[0050] The fiber management frame 22 also preferably includes a lockingmember 65 for securing the pair of brackets 64 in position once thespace has been appropriately sized. While various techniques forsecuring the pair of brackets in position may be utilized, the bracketsof the illustrated embodiment each include an arm 67 extending in alengthwise direction and disposed on the opposite side of the support 58from the trays 60. In this regard, the brackets are formed such that thearms of each bracket extend lengthwise alongside one another. Each armalso preferably defines a lengthwise extending slot 69. Thus, thelocking member may include a fastener that extends through slots definedby the respective arms of the pair of brackets. In the illustratedembodiment, the support also includes a downturned flange 71 (FIG. 1)that defines an aperture through which the fastener may extend. Thus,the relative positions of the brackets can be fixed with respect to thefiber management frame. However, the locking member can readily beremoved and the brackets moved inwardly or outwardly relative to oneanother to decrease or increase, respectively, the size of the space inwhich trays are stacked, if so desired. Thus, the fiber management frameof this aspect of the present invention further restricts the unintendedmovement of the trays following the configuration of the closure 10 soas to reduce the possibility of damage to the connections of respectivepairs of optical fibers otherwise caused by the unintended movement ofthe trays.

[0051] While a fiber management frame 22 of one advantageous embodimenthas been illustrated and described, the fiber management frame may haveother configurations, if so desired. For example, the variouscompartments may have different heights and widths. Additionally, thecompartments may be oriented differently with the fourth compartment 56being the topmost compartment and the first compartment 28 being thelowermost compartment. However, the fiber management frame preferablydefines the compartments to be in-line with the cables to facilitate therouting of the optical fibers and, in fiber-to-the-curb applications,electrical conductors. In order to facilitate the splicing of theoptical fibers within the trays 60, the fiber management frame 22 mayalso include a splicing platform for holding a splice tray duringsplicing operations as described by U.S. patent application No.09/715,585 entitled Fiber Management Frame for Closure filed Nov. 17,2000 by Jennifer Battey, et al. and assigned to the assignee of thepresent application, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

[0052] The fiber management frame 22 of the present invention mayadvantageously be utilized in various applications, includingfiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-curb applications. As such, theconfiguration of the fiber management frame in each of theseapplications is hereinafter described with a more detailed explanationprovided by U.S. patent application No. 09/715,585. In afiber-to-the-home application, a fiber optic feeder cable extendsthrough the closure 10 with one or more of the optical fibers of thefiber optic feeder cable being split from the fiber optic feeder cableand spliced or otherwise interconnected with corresponding opticalfibers of one or more fiber optic drop cables. The fiber optic dropcables then exit the closure and extend to a home, business or the like.

[0053] In a fiber-to-the-home application as shown in FIG. 4, theoptical fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable 80 enter the closure 10through a respective port 18 defined by one end cap 16 and are splitinto two groups, the first group of the optical fibers being expressfibers 82 that extend uninterrupted and unspliced through the closure.These express fibers extend through the first compartment 28 of thefiber management frame 22 and exit the closure through a respective portdefined by the opposite end cap. The other optical fibers 84 of thefiber optic feeder cable that are split from the express fibers aredirected to the second compartment 32.

[0054] In the fiber-to-the-home application, one or more coupler trays50 are typically stored within the second compartment 32. In thisregard, each coupler tray preferably defines an aperture through amedial portion thereof. As such, each coupler tray may be positionedwithin the second compartment such that the engagement member 48 of thesecond compartment extends through the aperture and engages the couplertray. The optical fibers 84 of the fiber optic feeder cable 80 that havebeen split from the express fibers 82 are typically routed to thecoupler tray. As known to those skilled in the art, optical fibers thatare input into a coupler tray are split, typically two, three, four ormore ways. Thus, a first optical fiber that enters a coupler tray isgenerally split into a plurality of second optical fibers. The opticalfibers 86 emerging from the coupler tray are then routed to the thirdcompartment 52. Once in the third compartment, the optical fiberspreferably are looped one or more times therethrough in order to provideslack lengths of the optical fibers. The optical fibers then emerge fromthe third compartment and are routed to the fourth compartment 56 andinto a tray 60.

[0055] In a fiber-to-the-home application, the closure 10 also receivesthe end portions of one or more fiber optic drop cables 88. The opticalfibers 90 of the fiber optic drop cables are also directed to the thirdcompartment 52 through which the optical fibers are looped one or moretimes in order to provide slack lengths of the optical fibers of thefiber optic drop cables. The optical fibers of the fiber optic dropcables then exit the third compartment and are directed to the fourthcompartment 56. Once in the fourth compartment, the optical fibers ofthe fiber optic drop cable are directed into a tray 60 and are connectedwith corresponding optical fibers 86 from the coupler tray 50. As such,optical fibers 84 from the fiber optic feeder cable 80 can beinterconnected with corresponding optical fibers 90 of a fiber opticdrop cable 88. The fiber optic drop cable then exits the closure andextends to a home, business or the like.

[0056] In a fiber-to-the-curb application as shown in FIG. 5, theclosure 10 not only receives a fiber optic feeder cable 80, but alsoreceives an electrical feeder cable 92 having a plurality of electricalconductors 94, typically twisted wire pairs of copper conductors. Theclosure also receives the end portions of one or more drop cables 88.While separate drop cables could be utilized for both the optical fibers90 and the electrical conductors 96, a common composite drop cable thatincludes both optical fibers and electrical conductors is typicallyutilized. Thus, at least some of the electrical conductors of theelectrical feeder cable and at least some of the optical fibers of thefiber optic feeder cable can be spliced to corresponding electricalconductors and optical fibers of the composite drop cable. The compositedrop cable can then extend from the curb to a home, business or thelike.

[0057] In fiber-to-the-curb applications, the electrical conductors 94of the electrical feeder cable 92 extend through the first compartment28 of the fiber management frame 22. A number of the electricalconductors typically extend uninterrupted or unspliced through the firstcompartment. However, one or more of the electrical conductors aretypically spliced to corresponding electrical conductors 96 of the dropcable 88. This splice is typically performed in the first compartmentand in a manner known to those skilled in the art. In this application,the optical fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable 80 are again splitwith the express fibers 82 that extend uninterrupted through the closure10 extending through the second compartment 32 of the fiber managementframe 22. As such, in this application, the second compartment does notinclude the coupler tray 50, but instead, defines a passageway throughwhich the express fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable extend. Theoptical fibers 84 of the fiber optic feeder cable that are split fromthe express fibers and are to be spliced to corresponding optical fibers90 of the drop cable are routed directly to the third compartment 52. Asdescribed above in conjunction with the fiber-to-the-home application,the optical fibers are then looped through the third compartment tostore slack lengths of the optical fibers prior to being directed to thefourth compartment 56 and into tray 60. Within the tray, the opticalfibers of the fiber optic feeder cable are interconnected tocorresponding optical fibers of a drop cable. As described above, theoptical fibers of the drop cable are also preferably looped through thethird compartment prior to being directed into the fourth compartment toprovide slack lengths of the optical fibers.

[0058] In either application, the splicing or other optical fiberconnection can be performed while the tray 60 is held by a splicingplatform (not shown). Once the appropriate interconnections have beenestablished, the splicing platform is stowed and the cover 37 of thefirst compartment 28 is installed. In this regard, the cover istypically connected to one or more of the upstanding flanges 36 of thefirst compartment so as to extend at least partially over the opticalfibers or electrical conductors disposed within the first compartment,thereby protecting the optical fibers or the electrical conductors.Thereafter, the housing 12 may be assembled and the closure 10 placedinto service.

[0059] As described above, various optical fibers are stored and routedby the fiber management frame 22 in both fiber-to-the-home andfiber-to-the-curb applications. While the optical fibers themselves canextend through the closure 10, the optical fibers are typically disposedin buffer tubes or transport tubes to further protect the opticalfibers. Although not depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the optical fibers 84 ofthe fiber optic feeder cable 80 and the optical fibers 86 extending fromthe coupler tray 50 to the trays 60 are typically disposed in transporttubes, while the optical fibers 90 of the drop cables 88 are typicallydisposed in buffer tubes for added protection.

[0060] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention willcome to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertainshaving the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoingdescriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that further modifications and otherembodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appendedclaims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A fiber management frame for aninterconnection closure comprising: a support; and at least one tensionmember extending toward the support, the at least one tension memberadapted for exerting a force having a component directed toward thesupport.
 2. A fiber management frame according to claim 1 wherein the atleast one tension member extends toward the support so as to define anacute angle with the support.
 3. A fiber management frame according toclaim 1 wherein the at least one tension member comprises a pair oftension members spaced apart from one another.
 4. A fiber managementframe according to claim 3 further comprising a handle interconnectingthe pair of tension members.
 5. A fiber management frame according toclaim 1 wherein the at least one tension member extends from a first endremote from the support to a second end proximate the support, andwherein the second end of the at least one tension member comprises anupturned lip to facilitate lifting of the at least one tension member.6. A fiber management frame according to claim 1 wherein the support isadapted for holding an optical fiber connection tray selected from thegroup consisting of a splice tray, a coupler tray, and a connectorpanel, wherein the support is adapted for holding a single tray up to apredetermined maximum number of trays, and wherein the at least onetension member is sized such that the at least one tension membercontacts the tray furthest removed from the support without protrudingbeyond the support while the support holds any number of trays from asingle tray up to the predetermined maximum number of trays.
 7. Aninterconnection closure comprising: a housing defining an internalcavity and a plurality of ports opening into the internal cavity forreceiving a plurality of cables; and a fiber management frame disposedwithin the internal cavity defined by the housing, the fiber managementframe comprising: a support for holding at least one optical fiberconnection tray selected from the group consisting of a splice tray, acoupler tray, and a connector panel; and a bias member for urging the atleast one tray toward the support, thereby releasably securing the atleast one tray within the fiber management frame.
 8. An interconnectionclosure according to claim 7 wherein the bias member comprises at leastone tension member extending toward the support, the at least onetension member adapted for exerting a force having a component directedtoward the support.
 9. An interconnection closure according to claim 8wherein the at least one tension member extends toward the support so asto define an acute angle with the support.
 10. An interconnectionclosure according to claim 8 wherein the at least one tension membercomprises a pair of tension members spaced apart from one another. 11.An interconnection closure according to claim 10 further comprising ahandle interconnecting the pair of tension members.
 12. Aninterconnection closure according to claim 8 wherein the at least onetension member extends from a first end remote from the support to asecond end proximate the support, and wherein the second end of the atleast one tension member comprises an upturned lip to facilitate liftingof the at least one tension member.
 13. An interconnection closureaccording to claim 8 wherein the support is adapted for holding a singletray up to a predetermined maximum number of trays, and wherein the atleast one tension member is sized such that the at least one tensionmember contacts the tray furthest removed from the support withoutprotruding beyond the support while the support holds any number oftrays from a single tray up to the predetermined maximum number oftrays.
 14. A fiber management frame for an interconnection closurecomprising: a support defining a track; and at least one upstandingbracket that engages the track defined by the support, the at least oneupstanding bracket adapted to be slidably moved along the track so as tobe repositioned relative to the support.
 15. A fiber management frameaccording to claim 14 wherein the at least one bracket comprises a pairof brackets adapted to be slidably moved toward and away from oneanother.
 16. A fiber management frame according to claim 15 wherein thesupport defines a pair of lengthwise extending tracks that are paralleland that are spaced apart in the lengthwise direction, and wherein eachbracket is adapted to be slidably moved along a respective track.
 17. Afiber management frame according to claim 15 further comprising alocking member for securing the pair of brackets in position.
 18. Afiber management frame according to claim 17 wherein each bracketcomprises an arm that overlaps with the arm of the other bracket, andwherein the locking member comprises a fastener that engages therespective arms of the pair of brackets.
 19. A fiber management frameaccording to claim 14 wherein the support defines a slot that serves asthe track, and wherein the at least one upstanding bracket extendsthrough the slot and engages the support.
 20. An interconnection closurecomprising: a housing defining an internal cavity and a plurality ofports opening into the internal cavity for receiving a plurality ofcables; and a fiber management frame disposed within the internal cavitydefined by the housing, the fiber management frame comprising: asupport; and at least one adjustable member cooperating with the supportto define a space for securing at least one optical fiber connectiontray selected from the group consisting of a splice tray, a couplertray, and a connector panel, the at least one adjustable member capableof being repositioned relative to the support so as to correspondinglyresize the space to receive various sizes of the at least one tray. 21.An interconnection closure according to claim 20 wherein the supportdefines a track, and wherein the at least one adjustable membercomprises at least one upstanding bracket that engages the track definedby the support, the at least one upstanding bracket adapted to beslidably moved along the track so as to be repositioned relative to thesupport.
 22. An interconnection closure according to claim 21 whereinthe at least one bracket comprises a pair of brackets adapted to beslidably moved relative to one another.
 23. An interconnection closureaccording to claim 22 wherein the support defines a pair of lengthwiseextending tracks that are parallel and that are spaced apart in thelengthwise direction, and wherein each bracket is adapted to be slidablymoved along a respective track.
 24. An interconnection closure accordingto claim 21 wherein the fiber management frame further comprises alocking member for securing the pair of brackets to the support.
 25. Aninterconnection closure according to claim 24 wherein each bracketcomprises an arm that overlaps with the arm of the other bracket, andwherein the locking member comprises a fastener that engages therespective arms of the brackets.
 26. An interconnection closureaccording to claim 21 wherein the support defines a slot that serves asthe track, and wherein the at least one upstanding bracket extendsthrough the slot and engages the support.